Manchin calls Biden student loan forgiveness 'excessive,' thinks borrowers should 'earn it'

West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin says President Biden's student loan cancellation is "excessive" and argues other options exist to help people struggling with debt.

"I just thought that it was excessive. I just respectfully disagree on that," Manchin said Tuesday, according to The Hill newspaper.

"I think there’s other ways," Manchin also said. "When people were calling me from back in West Virginia, I would give them all the options they had that would reduce their loan by going to work in the federal government."

Biden announced his plan last month to forgive up to $10,000 in student loans and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients if they make less than $125,000 a year.

When asked whether that number was too much, Manchin said: "I just thought there was a better way to do it. You have to earn it. You have to earn it."

Republicans and some Democrats have criticized the plan, raising concerns about cost and adding to the already high inflation rate.